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European Spring Package 2026

The European Semester is an annual exercise that coordinates the EU's economic and social policies. Based on the analysis conducted every year by the Commission, each Member State receives a set of Country Specific Recommendations (CSRs), where policy action is needed. In Slovenia, these include:

Slovenia’s economy stays resilient, but growth is hampered by high inflation and energy pressures. In the medium to long term, growth prospects hinge on boosting productivity — especially as an ageing workforce shrinks labour supply.
In 2025, Slovenia advanced major legislative reforms aimed at strengthening the fiscal sustainability of its social protection system, fulfilling key commitments under its Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP). The pension reform was accompanied by critical amendments to healthcare and long-term care legislation, which are collectively designed to safeguard the system’s stability for the future.
Despite these reforms, significant fiscal challenges remain. Risingcurrent expenditure and declining revenues, compounded by slower economic growth and reduced energy levies, are set to widen the deficit in 2026 and 2027. Implementing spending reviews, as well as tax reforms to broaden tax bases, and improving the targeting of social benefits could protect budgetary targets while creating fiscal space for climate and defence priorities.
Access to finance remains a challenge for SMEs in particular when transitioning to innovative and knowledge-driven sectors. Strengthening science- business links, expanding venture capital, funding for productive investments, and fostering start-ups could help to drive the shift to a knowledge- based economy.
Energy transition momentum has slowed down; renewables growth remains gradual, grids need upgrades, and transport remains fossil- fuel-dependent. Designating renewable acceleration zones, more sustainable transport, and retrofitting buildings would cut costs and emissions. At the same time, water infrastructure modernisation, flood risk reduction, and environmental protection remain pressing challenges.
Despite strong performance, the labour market faces persistent skills shortages including in healthcare, education and long-term care. Attracting foreign talent, recognising qualifications faster, upskilling and reskilling all adults could ease gaps and broaden the workforce.

European Semester Spring Package 2026 - Two-page summary

Country report

Published as part of the Spring Package, country reports provide a detailed analysis of each Member State’s economic and social developments and challenges and assess the extent these are addressed by national policies. Additionally, the reports review the implementation of country-specific recommendations from previous Semester cycles.

2026 Country Report - Slovenia

Country-specific recommendations

Published as part of the Spring Package, the Country-specific recommendations (CSRs) provide tailored guidance to each Member State, suggesting socio-economic and fiscal policy actions to be taken over the next year. The Commission develops the CSRs based on the country reports and its review of the national policy plans submitted by Member States. The draft recommendations are then further discussed by the Council which reaches consensus on a final version over the summer.

The recommendations focus on policy areas that face persistent challenges or are only partially addressed by national policy plans. CSR can cover a wide range of topics, including public finances, pension system reforms, education, innovation challenges, job creation or addressing unemployment.

2026 European Semester:
Country Specific Recommendations / Commission Recommendations

Draft budgetary plan

By mid-October, eurozone Member States are required to submit their draft budgets for the following year to the Commission and the Eurogroup. The Commission assesses their compliance with the CSRs, the agreed net expenditure path and the requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact.

Draft budgets that do not align with past CSRs are addressed in the Opinions on the Draft budgetary Plans, published as part of the Autumn Package. Member States adopt their new national budgets at the end of the year.

Draft budgetary plans 2026

National reform programme (until 2023)

After receiving guidance from the Autumn Package, Member States submit their national policy plans for assessment ahead of the Spring Package. The national reform programme outlines the structural economic reforms that the Member State intends to implement, with a focus on future policies to strengthen employment and growth and prevent or correct macroeconomic imbalances. The programme should also indicate how the planned policies comply with the country-specific recommendations of previous European Semester cycles.

As of 2024, the national reform programmes will be replaced by the medium-term fiscal structural plans.

General publications (25 April 2023):
Slovenia - National Reform Programme 2023